Electronic Device Positioning Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic device positioning apparatus enabling hands free cellphone use includes a belt, an arm, and an adapter. The belt is positionable around and engageable to a waist of a user and thus securable to the user. The arm is engaged by a first terminus thereof to the belt. The arm comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is selectively and fixedly positionable relative to adjacent sections. The arm is reversibly positionable in a selected position so that a second terminus of the arm is located as desired by the user. The adapter is engaged to the second terminus of the arm and can engage an electronic device of the user to engage the electronic device the arm. The user can then position the arm in the selected position so that a display of the electronic device is conveniently viewable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to positioning apparatuses and more particularly pertains to a new positioning apparatus enabling hands free cellphone use.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to positioning apparatuses enabling hands free use of electronic devices and may comprise a device that hangs from a neck of a user or a flexible arm engaged to a harness.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a belt, an arm, and an adapter. The belt is configured to be positionable around and engageable to a waist of a user so that the belt is secured to the user. The arm is engaged by a first terminus thereof to the belt. The arm comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is selectively and fixedly positionable relative to adjacent sections. The arm is configured to be reversibly positioned in a selected position so that a second terminus of the arm is located as desired by the user. The adapter is engaged to the second terminus of the arm and is configured to be engaged to an electronic device of the user. The adapter is configured to engage the electronic device so that the electronic device is engaged to the arm. The user can then position the arm in the selected position so that a display of the electronic device is conveniently viewable.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic device positioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new positioning apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the electronic device positioning apparatus 10 generally comprises a belt 12, an arm 14, and an adapter 16. The belt 12 is configured to be positionable around and engageable to a waist of a user so that the belt 12 is secured to the user. A pad 18 is coupled to an inner surface 90 the belt 12, as shown in FIG. 7. The pad 18 is thus positioned between the belt 12 and the waist of the user to increase comfort.

The arm 14 is engaged by a first terminus 20 thereof to the belt 12. A plate 22 is engaged to the first terminus 20 of the arm 14 and extends bilaterally therefrom within the belt 12, as shown in FIG. 7. The plate 22 is positioned to stabilize the arm 14 relative to the belt 12. The arm 14 comprises a plurality of sections 24, each of which is selectively and fixedly positionable relative to adjacent sections 24. The arm 14 is configured to be reversibly positioned in a selected position so that a second terminus 26 of the arm 14 is located as desired by the user.

The adapter 16 is engaged to the second terminus 26 of the arm 14 and is configured to be engageable to an electronic device 28 of the user, such as a smart phone 30, as shown in FIG. 8. The adapter 16 is configured to engage the electronic device 28 so that the electronic device 28 is engaged to the arm 14. The user then can position the arm 14 in the selected position so that a display 32 of the electronic device 28 is conveniently viewable. With the electronic device 28 thus supported, the user can view the display 32 while walking, or in comfort while reclining.

A first coupler 34 is engaged to a first endpoint 36 of the belt 12, as shown in FIG. 2. A second coupler 38 is engaged to a second endpoint 40 the belt 12. The second coupler 38 is complementary to the first coupler 34 so that the second coupler 38 is positioned to selectively engage the first coupler 34 for removably engage the belt 12 around the waist of the user. The present invention anticipates the second coupler 38 and the first coupler 34 comprising a side release buckle 42, as shown in FIG. 4, or other coupling means, such as, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, conventional buckles, and the like.

A first fastener 44 is engaged to the first terminus 20 of the arm 14, as shown in FIG. 7. A second fastener 46 is engaged to the plate 22. The second fastener 46 is complementary to the first fastener 44 so that the second fastener 46 is positioned to selectively engage the first fastener 44 to removably engage the arm 14 to the belt 12.

The second fastener 46 may comprise a securing socket 48, which has a securing orifice 50 positioned therein. The first fastener 44 may comprise a securing stud 52, which has a securing pin 54 engaged thereto. The securing pin 54 is spring loaded and is positioned to be depressed as the securing stud 52 is inserted into the securing socket 48. The securing pin 54 then extends into the securing orifice 50 to removably engage the arm 14 to the belt 12. The present invention anticipates the first fastener 44 and the second fastener 46 comprising e other fastening means, such as, but not limited to, thumbscrews, clamps, and the like.

The adapter 16 may comprise a post 56, a center panel 58, and a pair of brackets 60, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The center panel 58 is engaged to a first end 62 of the post 56. Each bracket 60 is slidably engaged the center panel 58 so that the bracket 60 is selectively positionable relative to a respective opposed side 64 of the center panel 58. The pair of brackets 60 and the center panel 58 define a slot 66, which is width adjustable via selective positioning of the pair of brackets 60. The slot 66 is configured for insertion of the electronic device 28 to engage the electronic device 28 to the adapter 16.

Each bracket 60 comprises a side panel 68 having a track 70 engaged thereto. The center panel 58 is positioned in the track 70 so that the side panel 68 is slidable relative to the center panel 58. A lip 72 is engaged to the side panel 68 and extends along an outside edge 74 and a lower edge 76 thereof. The lip 72 is L-shaped. The present invention anticipates the adapter 16 comprising other adapting means, such as, but not limited to, clamps, suction cups, and the like.

A first connector 78 is engaged to the adapter 16. A second connector 80 is engaged to the second terminus 26 of the arm 14. The second connector 80 is complementary to the first connector 78 so that the second connector 80 is positioned to selectively engage the first connector 78 to removably engage the adapter 16 to the arm 14.

The second connector 80 may comprise a terminal socket 82, which has a terminal orifice 84 positioned therein, as shown in FIG. 3. The first connector 78 may comprise an adapting pin 86, which is engaged to the post 56 proximate to a second end 88 of the post 56. The adapting pin 86 is spring loaded and is positioned to be depressed as the post 56 is inserted into the terminal socket 82. The adapting pin 86 extends into the terminal orifice 84 to removably engage the adapter 16 to the arm 14. The present invention anticipates the first connector 78 and the second connector 80 comprising other connecting means, such as, but not limited to, thumbscrews, clamps, and the like.

In use, the user secures the belt 12 around their waist and engages the arm 14 to the belt 12 by inserting the securing stud 52 into the securing socket 48. The smart phone 30 is engaged to the adapter 16 by sliding it into the slot 66 and adjusting the brackets 60 so that the lips 72 engage the smart phone 30. The user then can position the plurality of sections 24, which comprises the arm 14, in a configuration that positions the display 32 of the smart phone 30 as desired. The user then can view the display 32 while maintaining their hands free for other tasks.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. An electronic device positioning apparatus comprising: a belt configured to be positioned around and engaged to a waist of a user such that the belt is secured to the user; an arm engaged by a first terminus thereof to the belt, the arm comprising a plurality of sections, each section being selectively fixedly positionable relative to adjacent sections, wherein the arm is configured for reversibly positioning in a selected position such that a second terminus of the arm is located as desired by the user; an adapter engaged to the second terminus of the arm and being configured to be engaged to an electronic device of the user, wherein the adapter is configured for engaging the electronic device such that the electronic device is engaged to the arm, wherein the adapter is configured to allow the user to position the arm in the selected position, such that a display of the electronic device is conveniently viewable; a plate engaged to the first terminus of the arm and extending bilaterally therefrom within the belt, such that the plate is positioned for stabilizing the arm relative to the belt; a first fastener engaged to the first terminus of the arm; a second fastener engaged to the plate, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener such that the second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the first fastener for removably engaging the arm to the belt; the second fastener comprising a securing socket, the securing socket having a securing orifice positioned therein; and the first fastener comprising a securing stud, the securing stud having a securing pin engaged thereto, the securing pin being spring loaded, such that the securing pin is positioned for depressing as the securing stud is inserted into the securing socket, and such that the securing pin extends into the securing orifice for removably engaging the arm to the belt.
 2. The electronic device positioning apparatus of claim 1, further including a pad coupled to an inner surface the belt.
 3. The electronic device positioning apparatus of claim 1, further including: a first coupler engaged to a first endpoint of the belt; and a second coupler engaged to a second endpoint the belt, the second coupler being complementary to the first coupler, such that the second coupler is positioned for selectively engaging the first coupler for removably engaging the belt around the waist of the user.
 4. The electronic device positioning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second coupler and the first coupler comprise a side release buckle.
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The electronic device positioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises: a post; a center panel engaged to a first end of the post; and a pair of brackets, each bracket being slidably engaged to the center panel, such that the bracket is selectively positionable relative to a respective opposed side of the center panel, such that the pair of brackets and the center panel define a slot, the slot being width adjustable via selective positioning of the pair of brackets, wherein the slot is configured for inserting the electronic device for engaging the electronic device to the adapter.
 9. The electronic device positioning apparatus of claim 8, wherein each bracket comprises: a side panel; a track engaged to the side panel, the center panel being positioned in the track such that the side panel is slidable relative to the center panel; and a lip engaged to the side panel and extending along an outside edge and a lower edge thereof, the lip being L-shaped.
 10. The electronic device positioning apparatus of claim 8, further including: a first connector engaged to the adapter; and a second connector engaged to the second terminus of the arm, the second connector being complementary to the first connector such that the second connector is positioned for selectively engaging the first connector for removably engaging the adapter to the arm.
 11. The electronic device positioning apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the second connector comprises a terminal socket, the terminal socket having a terminal orifice positioned therein; and the first connector comprises an adapting pin engaged to the post proximate to a second end of the post, the adapting pin being spring loaded, such that the adapting pin is positioned for depressing as the post is inserted into the terminal socket, and such that the adapting pin extends into the terminal orifice for removably engaging the adapter to the arm.
 12. An electronic device positioning apparatus and electronic device combination comprising: an electronic device having a display; a belt configured to be positioned around and engaged to a waist of a user such that the belt is secured to the user; an arm engaged by a first terminus thereof to the belt, the arm comprising a plurality of sections, each section being selectively fixedly positionable relative to adjacent sections, wherein the arm is configured for reversibly positioning in a selected position such that a second terminus of the arm is located as desired by the user; an adapter engaged to the second terminus of the arm and being positioned to selectively engage the electronic device such that the electronic device is engaged to the arm, wherein the adapter is configured to allow the user to position the arm in the selected position, such that a display of the electronic device is conveniently viewable; a plate engaged to the first terminus of the arm and extending bilaterally therefrom within the belt, such that the plate is positioned for stabilizing the arm relative to the belt; a first fastener engaged to the first terminus of the arm, the first fastener comprising a securing stud, the securing stud having a securing pin engaged thereto, the securing pin being spring loaded; and a second fastener engaged to the plate, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener such that the second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the first fastener for removably engaging the arm to the belt, the second fastener comprising a securing socket, the securing socket having a securing orifice positioned therein, such that the securing pin is positioned for depressing as the securing stud is inserted into the securing socket, and such that the securing pin extends into the securing orifice for removably engaging the arm to the belt.
 13. The electronic device positioning apparatus and electronic device combination of claim 12, further including: a pad coupled to an inner surface the belt; and the electronic device comprising a smart phone.
 14. The electronic device positioning apparatus and electronic device combination of claim 12, further including: a first coupler engaged to a first endpoint of the belt; and a second coupler engaged to a second endpoint the belt, the second coupler being complementary to the first coupler, such that the second coupler is positioned for selectively engaging the first coupler for removably engaging the belt around the waist of the user, the second coupler and the first coupler comprising a side release buckle.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. The electronic device positioning apparatus and electronic device combination of claim 12, wherein the adapter comprises: a post; a center panel engaged to a first end of the post; and a pair of brackets, each bracket being slidably engaged the center panel, such that the bracket is selectively positionable relative to a respective opposed side of the center panel, such that the pair of brackets and the center panel define a slot, the slot being width adjustable via selective positioning of the pair of brackets, wherein the slot is configured for inserting the electronic device for engaging the electronic device to the adapter, each bracket comprising: a side panel, a track engaged to the side panel, the center panel being positioned in the track such that the side panel is slidable relative to the center panel, and a lip engaged to the side panel and extending along an outside edge and a lower edge thereof, the lip being L-shaped.
 18. The electronic device positioning apparatus and electronic device combination of claim 17, further including: a first connector engaged to the adapter; and a second connector engaged to the second terminus of the arm, the second connector being complementary to the first connector such that the second connector is positioned for selectively engaging the first connector for removably engaging the adapter to the arm.
 19. The electronic device positioning apparatus and electronic device combination of claim 18, wherein: the second connector comprises a terminal socket, the terminal socket having a terminal orifice positioned therein; and the first connector comprises an adapting pin engaged to the post proximate to a second end of the post, the adapting pin being spring loaded, such that the adapting pin is positioned for depressing as the post is inserted into the terminal socket, and such that the adapting pin extends into the terminal orifice for removably engaging the adapter to the arm.
 20. An electronic device positioning apparatus comprising: a belt configured to be positioned around and engaged to a waist of a user such that the belt is secured to the user; a pad coupled to an inner surface the belt; a first coupler engaged to a first endpoint of the belt; a second coupler engaged to a second endpoint the belt, the second coupler being complementary to the first coupler, such that the second coupler is positioned for selectively engaging the first coupler for removably engaging the belt around the waist of the user, the second coupler and the first coupler comprising a side release buckle; an arm engaged by a first terminus thereof to the belt, the arm comprising a plurality of sections, each section being selectively fixedly positionable relative to adjacent sections, wherein the arm is configured for reversibly positioning in a selected position such that a second terminus of the arm is located as desired by the user; a plate engaged to the first terminus of the arm and extending bilaterally therefrom within the belt, such that the plate is positioned for stabilizing the arm relative to the belt; a first fastener engaged to the first terminus of the arm; a second fastener engaged to the plate, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener such that the second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the first fastener for removably engaging the arm to the belt, the second fastener comprising a securing socket, the securing socket having a securing orifice positioned therein, the first fastener comprising a securing stud, the securing stud having a securing pin engaged thereto, the securing pin being spring loaded, such that the securing pin is positioned for depressing as the securing stud is inserted into the securing socket, and such that the securing pin extends into the securing orifice for removably engaging the arm to the belt; an adapter engaged to the second terminus of the arm and being configured to be engageable to an electronic device of the user, wherein the adapter is configured for engaging the electronic device such that the electronic device is engaged to the arm, wherein the adapter is configured to allow the user to position the arm in the selected position, such that a display of the electronic device is conveniently viewable, the adapter comprising: a post, a center panel engaged to a first end of the post, and a pair of brackets, each bracket being slidably engaged the center panel, such that the bracket is selectively positionable relative to a respective opposed side of the center panel, such that the pair of brackets and the center panel define a slot, the slot being width adjustable via selective positioning of the pair of brackets, wherein the slot is configure for inserting the electronic device for engaging the electronic device to the adapter, each bracket comprising: a side panel, a track engaged to the side panel, the center panel being positioned in the track such that the side panel is slidable relative to the center panel, and a lip engaged to the side panel and extending along an outside edge and a lower edge thereof, the lip being L-shaped; a first connector engaged to the adapter; and a second connector engaged to the second terminus of the arm, the second connector being complementary to the first connector such that the second connector is positioned for selectively engaging the first connector for removably engaging the adapter to the arm, the second connector comprising a terminal socket, the terminal socket having a terminal orifice positioned therein, the first connector comprising an adapting pin engaged to the post proximate to a second end of the post, the adapting pin being spring loaded, such that the adapting pin is positioned for depressing as the post is inserted into the terminal socket, and such that the adapting pin extends into the terminal orifice for removably engaging the adapter to the arm. 